LOS
ANGELES (AP) - Dean Eubank was once a nobody. Just a tall,
gangly, freckled-country boy who was always over-looked.

"They
always wanted fast guys or the power guys," spoke Eubank
when recalling his younger years, "Even the coaches would
make me platoon. Because I played first-base and we had a
slugger who played it too. But hey look I always hit over
.500 just because I had four homers my whole highschool."

With
the limited playing time and not so good looks, Eubank was
not desireable by any of the major colleges. According to
Dean, "The Miami scout told me that they wanted to go
with a guy who fit into the community. Maybe they signed a
cuban, I don't know." And so he ended up at Utah St.
where he says with a grin, "Trust
me--I fit in!"

Even
when Eubank started out as a freshman, there was little opportunity
for playing time.

"I
was told I was going to receive every opportunity to succeed.
I just didn't know that the opportunity they were talking
about was third string."

It
wasn't until midway through his junior year did Dean Eubank
finally get a chance to show his abilities, "but only
because that other kid went on some mission to somewhere land,"
reminds Eubank. Whatever the reason, though, Eubank proved
that he has some skills that can help a team. During the second
half of that junior year campaign, Eubank played flawless
first base, while batting at a .327 clip.

"I
just still didn't have no power," said Eubank, "but
coach told me I was going to be Opening Day starter for senior
year. Then he suggested I hit the weights."

With
a little bit of training in the weight room, Eubank continued
his stellar play at first base--committing just one error
his entire senior season--while improving his hitting tenfold.
In a senior season that saw his team fight until the last
day of the season for the division title, Dean Eubank batted
.389, 41 doubles, and, get this, three homers.

A
boastful Eubank proclaimed, "I still have those balls!
Those were the first three homers I ever hit! Boy, I just
want to be able to hit a few in the big leagues."

But
it was those mere three homers that caused his stock to fall
all the way down to the third round, when the Cozumel
Mayans spent a pick on him. After being dealt over to
Long Beach, Eubank
ended up in Los Angeles
in the same deal that brought Jeffrey D'Amico and Ron Wright
to Long Beach.

Should
Dean ever actually realize his dream of smacking a big league
homerun, right now might be the time to prove he can. With
his recent promotion to the big league clubhouse in Los Angeles,
Eubank is on a fast-track to major league success. Despite
the franchise suffering from a horrible BUG that forced all
players to be quarantined, Eubank has recovered well and is
ready to produce.

"Last
year was the first time these coaches have ever worked with
me on my power swing. I learned a lot in a little amount of
time--it feels good to be able to put some oomph into the
ball, if ya know what I mean."

Yes,
Dean, I think we know what you mean. Now you're going to have
to go on out there and prove you can do it.